HONOLULU — On Saturday, Gov. Josh Green and the Hawaii-Pacific Basin Area Health Education Center announced a loan repayment program that will address the physicians and health care professionals shortage throughout the state, according to a release.

What You Need To Know

  • Through HELP, health care professionals will qualify for loan repayments starting at $12,500 and capped at $50,000 in exchange for two years of full-time or half-time service in Hawaii

  • HELP prioritizes specialists in Primary Care and Behavioral Health along with individuals practicing in rural areas — all neighbor islands and Waimanalo, Waianae, Wahiawa, Hauula, Laie, Kahuku, Haleiwa and Waialua on Oahu

  • The state is experiencing a shortfall of nearly 4,000 health care professionals most deeply felt by residents in rural areas and those with public insurance

  • Applications are accepted twice a year in October and April with awards disbursed in January and July, respectively

The Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program was developed by the John A. Burns School of Medicine, Healthcare Association of Hawaii and the State Department of Health, and is funded by the Hawaii State Legislature.

The program will provide $30 million in educational loan debt repayment to health professionals licensed or otherwise certified to practice in and provide care to Hawaii residents.

Green said the program is a result of effort over many years. “Iʻm thinking back to my time working with colleagues in the state legislature on this loan repayment program and other ways to resolve the shortage of health care providers, so it is very rewarding to see it come to fruition so generously funded,” said Green in the release.

Green came to Hawaii through a similar program, the National Health Service Corps, serving the community of Kaʻu on Hawaii Island.

Through HELP, health care professionals will qualify for loan repayments starting at $12,500 and capped at $50,000 in exchange for two years of full-time or half-time service in Hawaii. The amount depends on the profession, location of practice and educational indebtedness. To be eligible, all must provide care to or work for organizations that provide care to at least 30% of publicly insured patients.

Eligible professionals include:

  • Audiologist
  • Behavior analyst
  • Certified physician assistant
  • Certified substance abuse counselor
  • Chiropractor
  • Clinical laboratory director
  • Clinical laboratory specialist
  • Community service dental hygienist
  • Community service dentist
  • Cytotechnologist
  • Dental hygienist
  • Dentist
  • Emergency Medical Technician
  • Industrial psychologist
  • Licensed bachelor social worker
  • Licensed clinical social worker
  • Licensed marriage and family therapist
  • Licensed practical nurse
  • Licensed social worker
  • Medical assistant
  • Medical laboratory technician
  • Medical technologist
  • Mental health counselor
  • Midwife
  • Naturopathic physician
  • Nurse aide
  • Nurse anesthetist
  • Nursing home administrator
  • Occupational therapist
  • Occupational therapy assistant
  • Optometrist
  • Osteopathic physician and surgeon
  • Paramedic
  • Pharmacist
  • Physical therapist
  • Physical therapist assistant
  • Physician
  • Physician assistant
  • Podiatrist
  • Psychologist
  • Radiology technician
  • Registered dietician
  • Registered nurse
  • Respiratory therapist
  • Speech pathologist
  • Surgical assistant
  • Surgical technician
  • Surgical technologist

HELP prioritizes specialists in Primary Care and Behavioral Health along with individuals practicing in rural areas — all neighbor islands and Waimanalo, Waianae, Wahiawa, Hauula, Laie, Kahuku, Haleiwa and Waialua on Oahu.

“The current federally funded and state-matched Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program has one of the highest retention rates in the country with 65% of loan repayers continuing to practice in their health professional shortage area and underserved community sites, and 80% of program completers still practicing in Hawaii,” said Hawaii-Pacific Basin AHEC Director Dr. Kelley Withy in the release.

“Our program works, and we are grateful to the 2023 legislature for continuing the matching funds for this federal program that targets the highest shortage areas and specialties. However, we know there is a severe shortage of multiple physician specialties, worse on the neighbor islands and rural Oahu, as well as critical nursing, allied health and behavioral health shortages,” added Withy.

“These shortages were most evident during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but continue today,” said Interim Dean Dr. Lee Buenconsejo-Lum. “HELP expands loan repayment eligibility to so many working hard to keep the people of Hawaii healthy. We hope that reducing their debt burden will help keep these professionals working here and will also encourage our JABSOM graduates and others with Hawaii ties to return home to practice.”

According to the release, the statewide shortage is seen in the medical, dental, and behavioral and mental health fields with higher demand for primary care physicians, behavioral health providers, and particularly high demand for specialty physicians practicing in rural areas.

The state is experiencing a shortfall of nearly 4,000 health care professionals most deeply felt by residents in rural areas and those with public insurance.

The state legislature is appropriating a total of $30 million for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to establish HELP to address the chronic shortage.

Licensed or certified health care professionals, as well as those in training, can qualify for up to $50,000 in annual loan forgiveness in exchange for a two-year commitment to serve Hawaii residents.

The Hawaii-Pacific Basin Area Health Education Center administers the program. Applications are accepted twice a year in October and April with awards disbursed in January and July, respectively. Visit the AHEC website or call 808-692-1060 for more information.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.